RE: Ferrari 412: Spotted

[NomduJour]

Verde Medio. Yes please.

[Zombie]

Strela said:

Great to get owners' perspectives. Your car looks really quite wonderful, by the way. Dark colours are the way to go with these. I found the 328 great fun - nippier than the 308 but not as harsh as the 348, and a very pretty car. Actually, very well suited to British roads. They are soft enough to soak up the bumps, but you still need to adapt to the long throw change and power curve to get the best out of it. You have to apply yourself to get it really singing. Whereas a 355 is more point and squirt. I always thought if I got a 400 I'd go for the auto, as I prefer them in a big GT. But from your post, I can start to see the appeal of a manual V12, when I remember that mastering the manual gearboxes is one of the great pleasures of Ferraris of this era.

Wow, that's a lovely car, agree about the manual aspect, what's the point in having a V12 with a slush box?

However, I'd be willing to bet that the Maser would cost less to run - My Dad had one for a few years, sold it 2016, I reckon it would have cost less* than my GTA to run over the same period doing similar miles.

• The 4200 was looked after by a specialist whereas we did all the work on my GTA ourselves, like an engine out cam belt and clutch change, limiting the actual cost

[LewisR]

Johnspex said:

LewisR said:

I love these. IMO, a Ferrari for those that don't like Ferraris.
I love the styling, that it's SD1-esque (both from Daytona's styling, probably) and that it's a FWD V12.
You could also probably get away with parking it almost anywhere and no one really knowing what it is. Definitely would rather have this than a 3-door Cosworth, except when it comes to repairing it.

RWD not FWD.

Yes, I knew that. Don't know why I put FWD ! Of course it's RWD. I was probably still thinking "front" from "Front-engined" !

My bad.

[Galsia]

The sooner these are all scrapped the better. Probably the company's low-point.

[Fastchas]

Galsia said:

The sooner these are all scrapped the better. Probably the company's low-point.

I totally agree.
The looks are like an old Hyundai, and every owner seems to have their ownership blighted by handling or steering 'characteristics', whilst paying huge running costs to enjoy the privilege.
I can't understand all the fawning over this, what was universally hated so long ago. Does time really cloud the mind so much that in 30 years time we will all be thinking Gary Glitter actually made some good music and walking round in silver tassled suits in his honour?

[NomduJour]

If you think that this is anything other than supremely elegant, then you fully deserve the BMW X6, reclining sofa and Jack Vettriano prints you surely aspire to:

[P5BNij]

Fastchas said:

Galsia said:

The sooner these are all scrapped the better. Probably the company's low-point.

I totally agree.
The looks are like an old Hyundai, and every owner seems to have their ownership blighted by handling or steering 'characteristics', whilst paying huge running costs to enjoy the privilege.
I can't understand all the fawning over this, what was universally hated so long ago. Does time really cloud the mind so much that in 30 years time we will all be thinking Gary Glitter actually made some good music and walking round in silver tassled suits in his honour?

Each to their own - if you can't understand it then that's fair enough. Looking at the two I saw at the NEC last week my liking for them is just the same as it was over thirty years ago, I know it's a hackneyed old phrase, but if we all liked the same cars the world including PH and every other car forum would be extremely dull places to frequent

[CharlieAlphaMike]

stefan1 said:

Absolutely stunning

[CharlieAlphaMike]

mrmotorhome said:

The late, great LJK Setright wrote that it was one of the most beautiful cars ever.

Thread closed

[jsc15]

From 1989, when I saw one proceeding at pace down the M74, I've loved the 412. Either manual or auto, I personally wouldn't be picky.

I believe it was a mere 6 or so years ago that even Ferrari specialists couldn't shift these. I remember Foskers (I think) had a nice metallic grey one that wouldn't move for £17995, then ended up in an auction for less.

I've been keeping my eye on the £40k one, but it's not shifting either (just needs one buyer from this article though). There's been others up for £70k plus, which feels a bit optimistic. In the overall Ferrari market I think we've reached the peak (and Testarossas have even been dropping a bit) so will be interesting if these drop back. I'd now be on an RHD one like a rash at mid 20k's

This Bonhams one (LHD but seemingly very nice condition, low miles, & freshly repainted/retrimmed Miami Vice colour scheme) couldn't hit it's lower estimate of £28k last week...
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24874/lot/97/

[NomduJour]

Some low prices in that sale.

[CharlieAlphaMike]

CharlieAlphaMike said:

mrmotorhome said:

The late, great LJK Setright wrote that it was one of the most beautiful cars ever.

Thread closed

Please stop adding to this thread. I've closed it. Or rather, the words of LJK Setright closed the thread. I qoute: 'Nor while it is clothed in what remains in my memory's retina one of the few most beautiful, and one of the two most elegant, bodies ever to lead the lead of Pininfarina's pencilling vision'. 'Oh it is not inexplicable, this mystery; but it would take months to explain'

NB If you don't know or have never heard of LJK, then you should leave PH immediately and return only once you've thoroughly done your research into the legend that was...

[tomic]

CharlieAlphaMike said:

Please stop adding to this thread. I've closed it. Or rather, the words of LJK Setright closed the thread. I qoute: 'Nor while it is clothed in what remains in my memory's retina one of the few most beautiful, and one of the two most elegant, bodies ever to lead the lead of Pininfarina's pencilling vision'. 'Oh it is not inexplicable, this mystery; but it would take months to explain'

NB If you don't know or have never heard of LJK, then you should leave PH immediately and return only once you've thoroughly done your research into the legend that was...

LJK Setright also bought a Honda Prelude in the 1990's and put TSW Alloys on it. That wasn't cool or elegant then or now.

[AW111]

Of course the 412 isn't a real Ferrari - it appears to have several square inches of panel without vents or prancing horse badges

[s m]

tomic said:

CharlieAlphaMike said:

Please stop adding to this thread. I've closed it. Or rather, the words of LJK Setright closed the thread. I qoute: 'Nor while it is clothed in what remains in my memory's retina one of the few most beautiful, and one of the two most elegant, bodies ever to lead the lead of Pininfarina's pencilling vision'. 'Oh it is not inexplicable, this mystery; but it would take months to explain'

NB If you don't know or have never heard of LJK, then you should leave PH immediately and return only once you've thoroughly done your research into the legend that was...

LJK Setright also bought a Honda Prelude in the 1990's and put TSW Alloys on it. That wasn't cool or elegant then or now.

TSW EVOs - a blast from the past.
Wonder if he went for the Yokohamas in the end

[CharlieAlphaMike]

tomic said:

LJK Setright also bought a Honda Prelude in the 1990's and put TSW Alloys on it. That wasn't cool or elegant then or now.

I'm not listening

[Ex Expat]

CharlieAlphaMike said:

tomic said:

LJK Setright also bought a Honda Prelude in the 1990's and put TSW Alloys on it. That wasn't cool or elegant then or now.

I'm not listening

I was left for dead by LJKS in his Prelude (with the TSW Alloys) in the Epsom one way system sometime in the mid 90s. Was supremely cool and elegant!